Nancy Reynolds Elementary School
Family Guide
2015-2016
Nancy Reynolds Elementary School
1585 NC Highway 66 North
Westfield, NC 27053
(336) 351-2480
Robert “Boomer” Kennedy
Principal
Kathy Francis
Office Manager
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,
I hope you have enjoyed your summer and have had an opportunity to rest, relax, and
spend time with family and friends. The 2015-2016 school year is here and I am excited
to serve as your child’s principal at Nancy Reynolds Elementary School this year. This
upcoming school year will be my second at Nancy Reynolds Elementary and I am eager
to get started. I know that we will continue to build on last year’s success and have
another exciting and enriching school year.
The educators at Nancy Reynolds are here to serve the needs of your child and we will do
everything in our power to help your child have a successful year, both socially and
academically. I encourage you to call or email me or your child’s teacher anytime. If you
have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to call the school at 336-351-2480. If
you wish to email me directly, you may contact me at: [email protected].
I also encourage you to visit our school Web site at:
http://www.nancyreynolds.stokes.k12.nc.us/ for information about upcoming events or to
explore our staff web pages.
As the school year gets underway, you will be receiving short ConnectEd phone calls on
Sunday nights with information about weekly events, meetings, and activities. If you are
not receiving these calls, please contact the school so that we can update your contact
information.
Once again parents, guardians, and students, I look forward to meeting and working with
you this year. It is going to be a great year for the Blue Dragons!
Sincerely,
Robert “Boomer” Kennedy
Attendance
1. Regular attendance in school is essential to a student’s academic success. Please make every
effort to get your child to school. When a student misses school, it can be a great disadvantage
toward making progress that he or she is capable of making. Students missing an excessive
number of days may be retained.
By the Stokes County Board of Education Policy #4402, excused absences include:
a. Personal illness or injury
b. Quarantine
c. Death in the immediate family
d. Medical or dental appointments
e. Court or Administrative proceedings
f. Religious observance
g. Educational opportunity
h. Prearranged absences – upon the written request of a parent or guardian and in a
reasonable period of time in advance of the absence, a student may be excused by the
principal to participate in any activity having substantial educational value such as a
documented educational trip, a visit to a college or military facility, or participation in
civic or community events. Absences for educational opportunity cannot be excused
during the last ten days of a semester.
Truancy or absence from school for reasons other than these is illegal. Parents can be prosecuted for
student unexcused absences.
Attendance will be taken each day. Students must be present at least 50% of the day in order to be
counted present. This is 11:20 am on a regular school day. A written note explaining the absence is
required. If you do not bring in a note the absence is considered unexcused. See Attendance Policy in
Code of Student Conduct for further explanation.
Tardies and Early dismissals – We have a computerized student sign-in/sign-out system. Any student
arriving after 8:00 must be accompanied inside by a parent/guardian and signed in to the computer
in the front office. Students who are dismissed before the end of the day must be signed out on the
computer. Identification must be shown and no one except persons listed on the student information
sheets may check out a student. No student will be dismissed after 2:15 without a valid reason. Proof of
appointments may be requested for frequent early dismissals.
Bus Transportation
School bus transportation is a privilege that may be withdrawn for inappropriate behavior. Misbehavior
on the bus is a safety issue because it is distracting to the driver and thus endangers everyone. A student
is to ride the bus to which he/she is assigned. Any request to ride a different bus must be made in
writing and submitted to the office. Students will be allowed off the bus only at school, home, or
locations that have received prior approval by the principal. The bus driver is in complete charge of the
bus and its occupants at all times. Students riding the bus must comply with the requests of the driver.
Students are required to obey the following rules:
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Quietly enter the bus and sit in your assigned seat.
No part of your body should be hanging outside the window or in the isle.
Keep your feet, hands, and belongings to yourself.
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Do not throw objects inside or out of the bus.
Do not take food or drinks on the bus.
Do not use bad language, tobacco products, or other illegal substances on the bus.
Cell phones are not permitted on the bus at any time.
Stay seated until it is time for you to exit the bus.
Keep the bus clean. Do not destroy or deface any part of the school bus.
Walk in front of the bus when crossing the road at the bus stop. Look both ways before
crossing the road. Get the driver’s attention if you have left something on the bus, in front of the
bus, or if you must cross back to the other side of the road. Never walk behind the bus.
Students getting off the bus on the right side of the road should move away from the bus quickly
and carefully. As you exit the bus, step back away from the bus immediately.
Cafeteria Information
The staff at Nancy Reynolds Elementary is genuinely interested in your child eating a well-balanced
meal. We have an excellent cafeteria staff that prepares nutritious meals daily. The cafeteria operates
under the National School Lunch Program regulations. ALL STUDENTS qualify for FREE breakfast. I
encourage your child to take part in this very beneficial program. Breakfast and lunch are important to
enhance your child’s academic performance and achievement. We ask that you encourage your child to
eat the breakfast and lunch provided by our cafeteria staff. All students will have the opportunity to
purchase any item on the menu in addition to the regular plate. We do not allow students to purchase any
dessert items if they do not have a lunch from home or school. Only one extra item may be purchased.
Proper cafeteria behavior will be discussed with all students. All students must go to lunch in the
cafeteria with the class. The eating area to which the class is assigned must be clean before students are
dismissed. Students are to remain seated in the cafeteria until they are dismissed.
Cafeteria Price: (prices are subject to change)
Regular Breakfast
(free for all NRES students)
Regular Lunch
$2.40
Reduced Lunch
Adult Lunch
based on a la carte prices
$0.40
Please note the increase in the price of a regular student lunch. Information and an application for free
and reduced breakfast and lunch will be sent home with all students. We encourage ALL families to fill
this out. This information is used to qualify the school for federal Title I funds that are used for many
instructional purposes.
Lunch Charges: It is a recognized fact that students forget their lunch money occasionally. For this
reason students may charge their lunch through the lunchroom. Charged lunches should be paid the
next day whenever possible. If charges are not paid, parents will be sent a statement for charged meals
each week and will be called.
Cancellation of School
Stokes County School Board Policy dictates how and when school may be cancelled. Only the
Superintendent of Schools may cancel or close school. Cancellation only takes place during extenuating
circumstances. Announcements concerning school closings will be made on local radio and television
stations. In addition, you may call the school board office after hours at 593-8146 for updates on school
closings. Please do not call the school. Telephone lines must be open in order to receive updates and
information from the Superintendent.
Parents should have an emergency plan for early dismissal. We will request information about
emergency plans after the beginning of the school year. Please notify your child’s teacher of changes
in emergency numbers throughout the year. Due to the limited number of telephone lines, student use
of the telephone will be discouraged.
Child Custody
Copies of court orders concerning child custody must be on file in the school office.
Class Parties
Class parties are limited to two per year. All food served to students must be prepared in a facility
inspected by licensed health inspectors. Teachers will contact parents if they need help in the planning
of parties.
Code of Conduct
Nancy Reynolds Elementary complies with the policies, rules, procedures, and regulations stated in the
Stokes County Schools Code of Conduct. The code explains and governs the expectations for the
behavior of all students. This Code of Conduct applies to all students in attendance, on school property,
or at school sponsored activities.
Office Referrals
If a child is referred to the office for misbehavior, the following consequences may occur:
Verbal warning, written warning, parent contact/conference, loss of privileges, after school
detention, In-School Suspension and/or Out-of-School suspension. The severity and/or frequency
of the misbehavior will determine the level of consequence.
Computers
Students will have access to computers in the classroom and in computer labs.
Internet Use: Students may use the Internet only during teacher-led instruction. Parents may opt out of
allowing their children to use the Internet by completing the appropriate “opt out” document. Please
contact the school if you have any questions.
Curriculum
Nancy Reynolds Elementary School follows the Common Core and Essential Standards curriculum.
During the school year, we will take many opportunities to talk with our parents about the curriculum
for our students. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students must demonstrate mastery of the curriculum on
the North Carolina End-of-Grade Test. This means third through fifth grade students must score a Level
3, 4, or 5 on the reading, math, and writing tests in order to be promoted to the next grade.
Dress Code
Students should wear comfortable, modest clothing that will best enable them to participate in all school
activities, including physical education on their assigned day and recess every day. Students should
follow the dress policy outlined in the Stokes County Schools Student & Parent Handbook. A good rule
of thumb for the 3 inch short/dress/skirt length is the width of a dollar bill is 3 inches.
Emergency Contact Information
Parents are required to complete a “Student Information and Registration Form” for their child. This
form covers emergency information, which should be kept up-to-date at all times. Information includes:
1. Name of parent or legal guardian
2. Complete up-to-date address
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Home phone and work phone numbers
Emergency phone numbers
Physician’s name and number
Medical alert information
Custody information
Social security number
Please notify the school immediately if any of the information on your child’s “Student Information
and Registration Form” changes. We want to make sure we can contact you in case of an emergency.
Equity Statement
No student at Nancy Reynolds Elementary shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, or handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to
discrimination under any education program or activity.
Field Trips
Field trips are encouraged because they are designed to support and enhance the academic curriculum.
Teachers will notify parents of field trips that are planned and parents will need to sign a permission
form for their child. The cost of field trips will be kept as low as possible. Money may be requested from
parents to pay the cost of transportation and other expenses of the trip.
Forgotten Items
In the event your child should forget lunch money or any other item that you need to bring to school,
please bring these to the office. The secretary will get the item to your child.
Homeless Program
The Educational Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Congress reauthorized in January of 2002 the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Subtitle VIIB, originally passes in 1987 to help people experiencing homelessness. This federal law includes the
Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program that entitle children who are homeless to a free,
appropriate public education and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and
success in school. This Act protects all students who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate
residence, such as students living in the following situations:
 Doubled-up housing with other families or friends due to hardship
 Runaway/homeless youth shelters (even if parents invite the youth home)
 Hotels or motels
 Shelters, including domestic violence shelters
 Transitional housing shelters
 Cars, abandoned buildings, parks, the streets, or other public places
 Campgrounds or inadequate trailer homes
 Awaiting foster care placement
 Abandoned in the hospital
Some key provisions in this federal law are listed below:
 Every LEA must designate a homeless education liaison/coordinator to assist families and school
personnel in ensuring that students who are homeless can enroll and succeed in school.
 Schools must immediately enroll students experiencing homelessness, even if they do not have
proof of residency, school and immunization records, birth certificates, or other documents, and
even if an adult does not accompany them.
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A student in a homeless situation has the right to stay in his/her school of origin even if (s) he
moves out of district.
The LEA must arrange transportation for students experiencing homelessness even if the
student’s temporary arrangement is out of district.
Students experiencing homelessness are eligible, based on individual need, for services provided
to other students such as preschool, free or reduced school meals, services for English language
learners, special education, vocational/technical education, gifted and talented services, and
before- and after-school care.
Students in homeless situations are automatically eligible for Title1 services.
If there is a disagreement as to whether a student experiencing homelessness is eligible to attend
the school (s) he chooses (between school of origin and school in the district of his/her new
temporary residence), the school district is to provide a written explanation as to why they
believe the student is not eligible and allow the student to go to the school (s) he chooses while
such disagreements are settled. The LEA liaison/coordinator is responsible for settling such
disagreements.
Students in homeless situations are to attend schools with children not experiencing
homelessness rather than be placed in separate schools because they are homeless.
Students experiencing homelessness are to have the opportunity to meet the same high academic
achievement standards as all students.
If a state or local school district has laws or policies that conflict with the McKinney –Vento Homeless
Assistance Act, the Act overrules those laws and policies. If a school does not follow the McKinneyVento Act’s requirements, you should call your local homeless liaison/coordinator or State Coordinator
for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
Stokes County Homeless Liaison Contact:
Mr. Tony George, [email protected]
Stokes County Schools, P.O. Box 50, 501 North Main Street, Danbury, NC 27016
Phone: (336) 593-8146 Fax: (336) 593-3441
Homework
Homework is an important part of a child’s learning experience. It is an extension of the learning that
takes place in school. All students should be reading each evening as part of their homework
assignment. Homework can provide practice that reinforces classroom learning. We believe that
homework helps to establish for students that learning is a lifelong process which continues even when
school is out for the day. Failure to complete homework may result in classroom consequences. We
appreciate your support and invite you to discuss any homework issues with your child’s teacher.
Illness or injury
In case of illness or injury, a member of the school staff will care for a child temporarily. School
personnel will render basic first aid treatment only. If emergency medical treatment is necessary, every
effort will be made to contact the parent or legal guardian. If a parent is not available, the child will be
admitted to the nearest appropriate emergency room. The parent or legal guardian is responsible for
keeping accurate and up-to-date emergency phone numbers on file in the school office and with
the teacher at all times.
Insurance
School insurance will be offered at the beginning of the school year. If you desire school insurance,
please follow the directions on the insurance application that comes home with your child.
Medications
No Nancy Reynolds Elementary School staff member may issue any type of medication, including overthe-counter items, to any student without written permission from parents.
If your child must bring medications to school, the following requirements must be met:
Prescription Medications:
1. Must be clearly identified as to the name and type of medication.
2. Must be in the original container.
3. Must carry a prescription label with the child’s name, drug identity, dosage instructions, doctor’s
name, and prescription date.
4. The prescription must be current.
5. A signed and dated Stokes County Schools Medication Form must be sent with the
medication as well. (These are available in the office)
If the child is to also have the medication at home after school hours, the parents are asked to divide the
prescription and keep a portion at home and send a portion to school.
Non-prescription Medications:
1. Must be in the original container.
2. Must be clearly identified as to the name and type of medication and dosage instruction.
3. A signed and dated Stokes County Schools Medication Form must be sent with the
medication as well. (These are available in the office.)
Pictures
Individual pictures of each student will be taken in the fall and spring. Information will be sent home
regarding the dates for fall and spring pictures as well as purchasing information.
Progress Report and Report Card Dates
Below are the progress report and report card dates for the year. These dates are subject to change.
These dates are also available on the Nancy Reynolds Community Google Calendar.
Progress Report Dates
September 25
November 24
February 19
May 6
Report Card Dates
November 5
January 29
April 11
June 17
Student Transportation
Please make sure your child knows each morning where they are going after school and how they are
getting there. It is very disruptive to the class when announcements have to be made during instructional
time regarding student transportation. Additionally, it is frightening and confusing to a child when they
are unsure of their destination when they leave school. If there is a change in your child’s regular
transportation, please send this information in writing to the teacher or front office in the mornings. We
appreciate your cooperation.